N:4fiA^W. CROSS & CO. 

"SADDLERS 

./;■ ,: - /so S[/BBaRy ST 
BOSTON 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 



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Sheli\SA5 ' 



UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 




.. .^ i: ....// K. A/ 

Plate I. — FltAMEWORK 01"' THE UuRSE. 
The line E to F running through the fourteenth vertebra, or centre of motion of the horse. 



now 



TO 



RIDE 




MARK W. CROSS & CO. 



SADDLERS 



ii8 # 1 20 SUDBURY STREET 
BOSTON 



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Copyright, 1891, by 
MARK W. CROSS & CO. 



Press op Berwick & Smith, 
Boston, U.S.A. 



AUTHOR'S PREFACE. 



It is quite true that no book can, without practice, teach the reader how 
to ride. Practical arts can only be learned by practical experience. Never- 
theless, we can learn considerable from the collected experience of the 
finest horsemen of the present and past generation. And this we may say, 
those who are seeking knowledge on this subject will find here the results 
of many years of experience, written by those who are in every case 
thorough masters of the subject they treat. 

We have tried in this volume to place simply and clearly before the 
reader, not only a fund of information, and the art of riding as taught by 
the best professors the world has seen, but also a thorough knowledge of 
the proper equipment required. It will show the necessity of having the 
saddle to suit the rider, and not compelling one to ride only as the saddle 
permits. In the selection of an outfit, the knowledge here gained will 
enable the rider to be the judge of what will best suit his or her require- 
ments. 

The artist, after years of toil, is compensated by the attention his work 
receives from the public ; and we ask the reader to pay us the compliment 
of examining the second part of our labor, the collection of riding equip- 
ments in our warerooras, for we have labored as hard to bring this to 
perfection as we have in editing this work. 

Our knowledge of the mechanical laws that govern the relation between 
horse and rider has been put into practice, and our riding saddles are the 
result of years of careful thought, of attention to all improvements tending 
towards safety and comfort, of travel abroad and consultation with the 
finest makers and the ablest equestrians the world affords. 

In presenting this volume to the reader the only reward we hope to 
reap is that you may visit us. In doing tliis we feel certain you will be 
repaid, in looking at the finest and most complete collections of horse goods 
ever brought together. 

MARK W. CROSS & CO. 
Boston, July, 1891. 



CONTENTS. 



PART I. 

PAGE 

Introduction 11 

The Framewouk ok the Horse 12 

The Influence of the Saddle on the Seat 15 

Seats 20 

The Jockey's Saddle and Seat 23 

The Hunting Seat 21 

Road-Riding 2G 

The Military Seat 29 

PART II. 

"First Lessons" 35 

Mounting .^ 3G 

" The Rise " in the Stirrups 40 

Dismounting 42 

Ladies' Riding 44 

Leaping 52 

Hints to Beginners 54 

7 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 



Framework of the Horse Frontispiece 

" Our Gladstone Saddle" 32 

"Our Victoria Saddle" 33 

" Prepare to Mount " 37 

" Mount " 39 

" The Proper Seat " 41 

Holding a Full Bridle 43 

Mounting 45 

Seated 47 

Off Side of Victoria Saddle, showing Level Seat 49 

Ladies' Reins 51 

Holding Reins in Leaping , 63 

Peterson Stirrup 55 



9 



HOW TO RIDE. 



The most proper recreation of studious, sedentary persons whose labor is thought, 
is horseback exercise. — John Locke. 



PART I. — INTRODUCTION. 

There is no lack of books in wliicli very full and particular descriptions 
of model seats on horseback may be found, nor of riding-masters who botli 
know how to sit a horse themselves and impart to their pupils their own 
particular method. But this will not answer the purpose, for there exists 
not only a certain number of typical seats, more or less suited to various 
ends, as racing, hunting, the cavalry service, etc., all of which have their 
peculiar justification, but there is also a great variety in the build of 
horses, and especially in the relative power of their fore and hind quarters, 
which demands consideration, if we would avoid the serious and but too 
common error of using up one set of members prematurely whilst leaving 
the others intact. For instance, nothing is more frequent than to see 
horses, otherwise jierfectly sound, irreparably ruined in the fore legs. 

Moreover, there exists an equal variety in the build of the riders, which 
also requires consideration. A man of heavy weight cannot be expected to 
sit his horse as a man of lighter build, nor a well " split up " man like one 
long above the hips and short below ; nevertheless, thers is no reason why 
each and all of them should not sit well and judiciously, though their seats 
must be necessarily different. 

The aim of this little treatise is, therefore, by appealing to the intelli- 
gence, common-sense, and good feeling of all riding men, to enable each to 
discover for himself what best suits his own peculiar case, and will put him 
in a position to make the best and the most of every horse he may have to 
ride, in the safest manner, and it will also afford an opportunity of pointing 



12 HOW TO RIDE. 

out the danger of exaggerations, and the gross absurdity of applying a style 
of riding specially adapted to one purpose, to others that have no analogy 
with it ; in fact, it will be shown that different styles of riding are not only 
inevitable, but legitimate, because the ends to be attained vary considerably. 
The intention is to refrain from all dogmatism and assertions, and merely 
present general principles, derived from mechanical laws that admit of no 
controversy, showing their inevitable bearing on the most important points, 
and leaving the reader as much as possible to form his own judgment 
independently, and arrive at a practical application for himself. 



THE FRAMEWORK OF THE HORSE. 

The horse depicted in Plate I. is of an average description, and stands 
in a natural position. The eye tells us at once that a somewhat greater 
proportion of its weight rests on the fore legs than on the hind ones, owing, 
as one sees, to the projecting position of the head and neck, which are 
much heavier than the tail. 

Looking now at the spinal column, the framework of the back, on which 
the rider's weight is to be placed, we perceive that the spinal processes of 
the first thirteen vertebrae of the back, reckoning from the point where the 
neck is attached, incline backwards, whereas those of the remaining ten 
vertebrge incline forwards ; the fourteenth vertebra, with its process, stand- 
ing perfectly upright, and forming, as it were, the keystone of the arch 
thus presented, so that, in fact, this fourteenth vertebra becomes the centre 
of motion of the horse's body — the point about which the several move- 
ments of the fore and hind legs are performed ; and this is further shown 
by the distribution and points of attachment of the muscles of the back 
and adjacent parts of the fore and hind quarters. The internal motion of 
the several parts of the body increases in proportion to their distance from 
the fourteenth vertebra; and the same is applicable to burdens placed on the 
horse's back, especialhj a rider. 



BOW TO RIDE. 13 

It has been already pointed out that, in consequence of the projecting 
position of the head and neck, especially when the horse stands at ease, a 
somewhat greater proportion of its total weight falls on the fore legs than 
on the hinder ones ; and wlien it depresses its liead still more than is repre- 
sented in Plate I., — for instance, for the purpose of grazing, — the animal 
puts forward one fore leg, and usually at the some time the hind leg of the 
opposite side, for the purpose of securing its equilibrium ; and even horses 
standing still, especially under a load, do the same, in order to rest each 
pair of legs alternately. 

We learn two facts from this : first, that the fore legs are essentially 
bearers, and that the hind ones, although chiefly propellers, are also to a 
certain extent bearers. 

Put a man on a horse without a saddle, and with nothing but a halter on 
the animal's head, and he will inevitably slip forwards till his seat comes in 
contact with the withers. Let him then stand still, and the horse, espe- 
cially if a young or untrained one, will most probably shove forward his 
hind or fore legs in one of these two ways. 

Now we may favor the propelling power of the hind legs by weighting 
forward within certain limits; and this we know to be the case, — the long 
stride of the race-horse is favored by the well-known forward seat of the 
jockey. And it is equally true that p)lacing the weight too near the hind 
legs must diminish their propelling power, by converting them, in a greater 
degree, into bearers. There can be no question but that weighting in this 
manner diminishes speed. 

In the action of a horse the first point to be observed is, that in walking 
and trotting the horse moves its diagonal legs simultaneously or nearly so, 
that is to say, the off fore and the near hind legs move together and alter- 
nate in this action with tlie near fore and off hind ones ; so that, whilst the 
one pair is being moved forward, the other sustains the weight of the 
animal. 

In cantering and galloping the case is different : the two legs at the 
same side are advanced simultaneously, the other two remaining behind. 

This will serve to explain why it is that, although a moderate trot is less 
fatiguing to horses than any other pace for a long journey, on account of 
the pairs of legs being used as bearers and propellers alternately, some 
horses will, under the rider, break into a canter, the alternate shifting of 



14 HOW TO RIDE. 

their own and his weight from right to left becoming more fatiguing than 
the constant use of each pair of legs for the same functions ; and the proof 
is, that many of these horses will go a steady trot in harness when they 
have only their own weight to adjust. It also explains why horses, when 
hurried in their trot, and over-weighted in the forehand, whereby the bearers 
(fore legs) become unable to support the weight thrown more and more 
rapidly on them by the hind legs, which now act solely as propellers, natu- 
rally, and to save themselves from falling, " lead " with a fore leg, imme- 
diately followed by a hind one — that is to say, break into a canter. 

Horses that overstep, that is, bring the hind feet ahead of the track of 
print of the fore ones, will be usually found to be such as are over-weighted 
on the forehand, whilst those that step short are usually such as are over- 
weighted behind. 

The advantage conferred by throwing the weight forward is, that it tends 
to increase the speed; the disadvantages attendant on it are diminished 
stability, and the rapid using-up of the fore legs. It has been shown that 
the centre of motion, that is to say, the point around which all other parts 
of the animal move when in action, or what comea to the same thing, the 
point where the least motion is felt, is situated somewhere in a perpendicu- 
lar falling through the fourteenth vertebra, Plate I. 

Again, in a ship or boat of any kind, people that have experienced sea- 
sickness soon find out where the centre of motion lies, and nestle round it ; 
and the master who sails her knows well that his cargo or load, whatever it 
may be, must be so stowed away that the centre of gravity of the whole 
coincides with the centre of motion of the vessel. This is what is called 
"trim," as we all know. Now, the horse under a rider must have the trim 
that suits the objects of the latter, and bringing the rider's body, from the 
hips upwards, slightly forwards or backwards, will answer exactly the same 
purposes as shifting the hands in a yacht. 

The fourteenth vertebra indicates, by its peculiar shape and position, a 
different function from that of the others, all of which evidently admit of 
movement towards it, within certain limits, whilst this one, not being 
adapted for this purpose, may so far be considered to be intended for the 
centce of motion. The construction of the horse's legs, and the relative 
position of the various bones composing them, furnish us with very clear 
proof of this same vertebra being the real centre of motion when the horse 



HOW TO RIDE. 15 

is in action. For there is one bone in each of the hind and fore legs 
through which tlie remainder of the limb acts as a lever on the whole frame, 
either for the purpose of propelling it (hind legs), or supporting and lifting 
it (fore legs). These are the thigh-bone and the arm-bone, whose upper 
ends have their fulcrums or points of support in the hip-bones and shoulder- 
blades. 

It is therefore evident that, both in a state of rest and of action, the 
fourteenth vertebra is constantly the centre of motion. 



THE INFLUENCE OF THE SADDLE ON THE SEAT. 

It would be only reasonable, one would suppose, to accommodate our 
saddles to our seats, just as we do every other instrument to the purposes 
for which it is intended ; but this is precisely what is very seldom done, 
and in the great majority of instances the rider sits his horse just in the 
fashion his saddle allows, or, perhaps, compels him to do. It is therefore 
a matter of some importance to understand clearly the mechanical princi- 
ples applicable to this piece of horse-furniture, as it will enable every rider 
to ascertain exactly what he wants, and how to attain his object, whatever 
that may be, as also to save his horse's back. 

To begin with the under surface of the saddle — the portion coming in 
contact with the horse's back — we find two principal points for considera- 
tion, — its shape or form, and its size or extent. One general mechanical 
principle applies to both, namely, that the larger the surface over which 
a given amount of pressure is equably spread or divided, the less will be 
tlie action on any given point of the other surface in contact ; and this 
translated into plain English means, as regards shape, that the under sur- 
face of the saddle should bear as nearly as possible the same relation to 
that part of the horse's back it is intended to occupy, as a mould does to 
the cast that is taken from it, always saving and excepting that strip l3'ing 



16 HOW TO BIDE. 

over the horse's backbone, which must remain altogether out of contact. 
The notion of making one portion come into closer contact than another, 
" giving a gripe," with the intention of preventing the saddle slipping, is 
altogether erroneous, because it is the sum total of the pressure which pro- 
duces the cohesion between two surfaces ; its being concentrated on one 
point or line does not increase this amount, but is very likely to make a 
hole in the horse's back. 

As regards size or extent of surface, the meaning is, that the greater 
this is with a given weight, the less will be the pressure on any given 
point, and consequently the less risk of sore back, provided always that 
the pressure be equally distributed over the whole surface. To make a 
saddle a yard long, and put the weight altogether at one of its extremities 
is not the way to attain this very desirable object. 

There must be some limit to the size of a saddle, for its own absolute 
weight is a matter of serious consideration. Let the size be proi^ortioned 
to the weight to be carried, and if you have a tender-backed horse, make it 
a little bigger than would be otherwise necessary. Of course a jock can 
ride his race on a thing that is more a contrivance for hanging up a pair of 
stirrups than a saddle, whilst a two-hundred-pound rider must divide his 
weight over as large a surface as convenient. 

The way in which the weight of the saddle may be decreased without 
its useful under surface being narrowed is to use, for the tree, materials 
combining great strength and moderate elasticity with the least possible 
weight. If the plates supporting the tree be made thin and light, they 
bend, and then retain the wood in a distorted shape. The platings should 
be made of steel not too highly tempered. There should be little, if any, 
padding under the flaps, as increased thickness between the rider's leg and 
the horse brings the former away from the latter. 

Supposing, now, the under surface of the saddle to have the proper form 
and size, the next point to be determined is, where to put the weight. As 
we cannot, in consequence of this being a man, divide and spread it out 
equably over the whole upper part of the saddle as we would inert matter 
of any kind, we must place the rider's centre of gravity exactly over the 
centre of the bearing-surface of the saddle, for this is the only single point 
which, being loaded, transmits tlie pressure equably to the rest of the surface. 

Take a small common table and place it exactly level on sand, grass, or 



uow ro HIDE. 17 

soft ground, then put a weight precisely in the centre of the table, and 
measure the depth to which the feet have been forced into the soil ; you will 
find it to be the same for all four feet, if the surface on which the table 
stands be equally soft throughout ; then shift the table a few inches, having 
previously removed the weight, and place this near one of the ends, instead 
of in the middle ; measure again, and you will find that the pair of legs 
nearest to the weight have penetrated much deeper than the others ; there- 
fore, on a horse, in order to equalize the pressure, the rider's weight should 
be placed in the centre of the saddle. 

But this is not all. Place a piece of stout board about two feet long on 
the ground, stand on one end of it, and you will find that the other loses its 
contact with the ground, and is more or less tilted up into the air ; the 
board has become a lever. Now, make a motion as if about to jump, but 
without quitting your position on the board ; this latter will, being out of 
contact with the ground at the further end, be shoved onwards in that 
direction. This is precisely what happens when a rider sits at one end of 
the saddle, generally the hinder one ; this one is pressed down into the 
horse's back, the other, the front end, is tilted up, and at every movement 
of the horse and rider the whole saddle is shoved forward till stopped by 
the withers, which it will probably wound. 

We may now go a step farther. Suppose the saddle be placed with its 
centre exactly over the combined centres of gravity and motion, and the 
rider in the centre of the saddle, there will be, first, an equable distribution 
of the combined weight of horse and rider on all four legs, both in a state 
of rest and action ; secondly, the movements of the horse, centring in this 
point, have the least possible tendency to disturb the seat of the rider or 
the position of the saddle ; thirdly, the weight of the rider, being equally 
distributed over the whole surface of the saddle in contact with the horse's 
back, is therefore less likely to injure any one portion of this ; nor does it 
convert the saddle into a lever, and shove it forwards or backwards. 

Again, let us suppose the saddle as before, but the rider sitting altogether 
at its hinder end, for instance, and there will be, first, the horse's equilibrium 
destroyed ; secondly, the rider himself, being nearer to the hind legs, will 
first receive an impulse from that direction, and be thrown forward till he 
meets that coming from the opposite direction ; and these two forces, instead 
of resolving each other from one common point into their sum total, neu- 



18 HOW TO niDE. 

tralize each other partially in successive shocks, at the expense of the 
horse's legs. It will be said that the use of the stirrups is to prevent the 
rider being thus thrown forward. No doubt they do, and this kind of rider 
always sticks out his legs towards the horse's shoulder ; in other words, he 
transmits tiie shock from the hind legs to the fore ones, through the medium 
of the stirrups (this, by the way, is the reason why stirrup-leathers are 
broken), of course shoving the saddle constantly forward ; and these men's 
girths can never be drawn tight enough to prevent the saddle tilting up in 
front. Thirdly, of course his weight is not distributed equably over the 
whole under surface of the saddle. 

The next question to be determined is, To what part of the saddle should 
the girths be attached ? Now, it is very evident that, if the placing of the 
weight in the centre of the saddle has the effect of transmitting an equal 
amount of pressure to all that part of the horse's back with which the latter 
is in contact, the attaching the girths so as to act directly on the centre of 
the saddle will have precisely the same effect ; and the friction that results 
— that is, the adhesiveness produced by pressure — will be equable through- 
out, and of course least likely to injure any one particular point. 

The point from which the stirrup is suspended has nearly an equal influ- 
ence on the stability of the saddle, and a much greater one on the form of 
the seat than the position of the girths. If the stirrups be wrong, all the 
rest being right will be of little avail. 

What is the legitimate use of the stirrups besides enabling us to mount 
our horses ? The first and most obvious one is to give the rider lateral 
support, that is, prevent his slipping oif to the right or left by his seat 
revolving round the horse's body as a wheel does round an axle. In riding 
barebacked, or on a saddle without stirrups, if the rider falls it is most gen- 
erally to one side, and not directly forwards or backwards ; and it is very 
evident that the more directly upon the rider's seat the stirrups be sus- 
pended, the more efficiently will they perform this duty, the resistance 
offered by them being perpendicularly upwards, or precisely in the opposite 
direction to that in which the weight falls, which is perpendicularly down- 
wards ; whereas, if the stirrups be suspended at a distance from the rider's 
seat, they act at an angle to the line of fall ; they may, and always do, in 
such a position change the direction of the fall, but they cannot meet and 
prevent it so efficiently as when placed under the seat. 



HOW TO RIDE. 19 

For military purposes the stirrups must be placed in the centre of the 
saddle, directly under the rider's seat ; there is no alternative. The cavalry 
soldier is often compelled in the use of his weapons to stand in his stirrups. 
If by doing so the equilibrium of his horse be altered, he disables the animal 
and himself at the most critical moment. 

We mentioned above that the man riding barebacked, or on a saddle 
vt^ithout stirrups, most frequently tumbles off to the right or left; well, it 
will be found that with stirrups, especially when the latter are very far for- 
ward and very short, the catastrophe generally occurs by the performer 
being thrown over his steed's neck, to the great damage of collar-bones. 

And this brings us to the length of the stirrup. The length of the 
arm is generally prescribed as being the proper length for the stirrup. This 
might answer well enough if stirrups were always suspended at the same 
perpendicular distance from the upper surface of the saddle, and also right 
under the rider's seat, and if men's arms and legs always bore a fixed pro- 
portion to one another. To adjust the stirrups precisely, the rider had 
better first mount, and then, letting these instruments loose together, shake 
himself down into the lowest part of the saddle, wherever that may be situ- 
ated ; his assistant may then adjust the stirrups to a convenient length. 
There is no use in attempting to ignore this lowest point, because every 
motion of the horse tends invariably to throw him into it; and if he does 
persist in ignoring it, he will find himself a mere stirrup-rider, wliich is, in 
its way, quite as bad as a rein-rider, the combination of both being the very 
climax of bad riding. For the absolute length of the stirrup no special rule 
can be given, apjilicable to all circumstances and to all kinds of riding. 
The only general rule that can be given is, never make your stirrups so long 
as to render your tread on them insecure, nor so short as to allow them to 
cramp up your legs and deprive them of the requisite power of motion, mak- 
ing you depend on the stirrups and not on your seat for your position in the 
saddle. 

With respect to the upper surface, or seat, of the saddle, we have to 
remark, that as the under one must be large in proportion to the weight, so 
this should be roomy in proportion to the bulk of the rider. The sum of 
the whole matter is this — the larger the surfaces of the rider and saddle 
brought into permanent contact, the firmer will be the seat, and the less 
will it depend on the stirrups or the reins. 



20 ifOir TO RIDE. 

The saddle-flaps serve in some cases to increase, in others they absolutely 
diminish, the surface of contact between the rider and horse ; their chief 
use is to protect the man's legs from injury by the girth-buckles, straps, etc. 

To sum up the whole of the foregoing, we may describe the general rule 
for seats to be this, — the saddle in the centre of the horse's back ; the girths, 
stirrups, and rider in the centre of the saddle. 



SEATS. 

When one observes the great variety of seats on horseback that present 
themselves to our notice every day, and their totally contradictory character 
in the most important respects, a certain amount of bewilderment necessarily 
ensues. What, for instance, can be more contradictory than to see one man 
sitting at one end of the saddle, as in an easy-chair, with his legs tucked up 
at the other, till his knees are nearly on a level with the pommel, called 
"the wash-ball-seat; " whilst a second, sitting in his fork, sticks out his legs 
as stiff and as far away from his horse as he can, taking for his model what 
is very aptly named " the pair-of-tongs-across-a-stone-wall seat." 

We start out with the declaration that we have no desire or intention 
to set up any one kind of seat as a model, but this is no reason why we 
should not try to find out and lay before our readers what are the real essen- 
tials, leaving them to adopt whatever suits their purpose best. Now, the 
seat on horseback is maintained by balance, by friction, and by the support 
given by the stirrup ; and it is easy to perceive that such a combination of 
all three will necessarily seciare a much greater amount of stability than 
can be attained by depending on one to the neglect of the other two, or even 
depending on two in such a manner as to sacrifice the third. The best and 
safest seat will be always that which depends exclusively on no one means 
of support, but uses them all in the best manner. 

It has been shown that the stability of the saddle and the safety of the 



now TO HIDE. 21 

horse's back depend to a great extent on the stability of the rider's weight 
— that is to say, on his poise or bahxnce. Why does any tiling tumble down 
from the position it has hitherto occupied ? because it loses its balance ; 
and the rider that does so is sure to meet the same fate, unless the friction 
of his seat, the stirrups, or the horse's mane are called to the rescue. 

The amount of surface of contact does not increase friction, but, of 
course, if the whole weight be brought to bear on one or two points of 
a rider's seat, these will soon require soap-plaster. Here, however, we have 
to do with an inanimate body, the saddle on the one hand, and a very lively 
one, the rider's seat and legs, on the other, whose muscular action may form 
a very important friction ; and the amount of this action does increase with 
the surfaces in contact, because a greater number of muscles are brought 
into action. Therefore we can never bring too great an amount of the sur- 
faces of our seat and legs into contact with the saddle. 

In some forms of seats the rider depends almost entirely on the pressure 
of his knees against the fore part of the saddle, and relinquishes altogether 
the advantages derived from steady contact of his seat with the other end 
of it. The best hunting, steeplechase, and military riders we have ever 
seen all agreed on this one point at least : that of depending on the thigh, 
and not the " under-leg," for their seat ; and hence is derived the grand car- 
dinal rule for a good seat : " From the hips upwards movable, in order to 
enable the rider to vary his balance, or use his weapons ■,from the knee down- 
ward movable, for the use of the spur, and the control of the horse's hind 
legs ; and between these two points, hip and knee, fixed, for the seat." Accord- 
ing to this rule, the middle of the rider adheres, both by weight and muscu- 
lar action, to the middle of the horse ; according to the other system, the 
lower third of the rider clings, by muscular action alone, to the horse's 
shoulders, aided, perhaps, to a certain e.xteiit, by the stirrup. 

But this brings us to the stirrup. Riding was certainly invented and 
practised before saddles existed ; and it is nearly equally certain tliat the 
first saddles, pads, or whatever they were, had no stirrups, these contri- 
vances having been subsequently invented for the purpose of giving the 
rider further aid in addition to that derived from balance and friction. 
Even nowadays many a man can ride barebacked without stirrups ; and this 
very short statement of facts ought, we think, to go far to prove that stir- 
rups are very subordinate in value to balance and friction taken together, 



22 BOM' TO HIDE. 

which is precisely why we have used the term stirrup-iiding in an oppro- 
brious sense. The " tongs-across-a-wall seat" depends on balance and the 
stirrup, renouncing all contact of the legs with the horse's body ; the wash- 
ball seat goes farther, and abjures balance. If the stirrups are tlirown too 
far forward, the thigh runs diagonally toward the horse's slioulder, and it is 
evident that the greatest amount of adhesive surface is obtained by placing 
the stirrup nearly under the rider, and making the tread on it perpendicular, 
instead of in an angle with the horizon. 

There is a notion prevalent that a military seat is a fork-seat : this is 
simply a popular error that requires refutation. On the other hand, some 
people will persist in sitting on that part of their back which is still, per- 
haps, called back, instead of on that portion of it which is honored with a 
supplemental designation. 

What is a man to sit on ? Well, he has two bones in his seat, which we 
venture, in imitation of German phraseology, to call his " sitting-bones," 
and a third in the rear at the bottom of the spine ; this third bone com- 
pletes, with the other two, a triangular basis for the human seat on 
horseback. 

Whatever difference of opinion may exist as to where the rider should 
sit in his saddle, or however necessary it may be to vary the exact jiosition 
of the seat according to the object in view, there can be no doubt whatever 
that the only lirm and steady seat is on the triangle. jSTo good rider sits on 
his foot, nor on his spinal bone, but on his seat. How this seat is to be 
obtained depends on the conformation of the man. The toes sliould be 
turned in just enough to increase tlie hollow of. the thigh ; but the round- 
thighed man, in order to get a hollow curve, may have to turn out his toes a 
little more than a man of slender build. 

The seat, therefore, depends on balance, on the amount of surface brought 
into contact with the saddle, both of which in their turn depend on whether 
the rider's weight rests on three, two, or only one corner of a triangle ; and 
all this is necessarily modified by the position of the stirrup. We have 
endeavored to show the relative value of each element in succession, and 
now leave the reader to make such a combination of them as best suits his 
purpose, reminding him merely that, although he may safely modify first 
principles, he never can totally despise them without committing an 
absurdity. 



HO]V TO BIDE. 20 

The advocates of beginning without stirrups say you must first give the 
pupil a seat, and then when he has acquired balance and a hold of his horse, 
you can give him the additional assistance of the stirrups. Now, the most 
difficult thing to attain is balance, and the stirrup was devised for the pur- 
pose of assisting in acquiring and maintaining it; and it is therefore just 
as reasonable to act in this manner as it would be to set a boy to learn swim- 
ming without corks or bladders, and when he learned to support himself in 
the water give him these artificial aids. But there is another objection ; 
namely, that the pupil first acquires one seat, and afterwards is expected to 
change it for another and better one. 

Long experience in training recruits has resulted in the conviction that 
it is much better, and in the end more expeditious, to give the young rider 
stirrups from the beginning; and when he has acquired a certain amount of 
confidence and balance you may take away the stirrups to perfect the latter, 
without running the least risk of destroying the former. 



THE JOCKEY'S SADDLE AND SEAT. 

The saddle is placed just over tlie fourteenth vertebra ; it is of such 
small dimensions that the rider can only sit on one spot, and under this, or 
very nearly so, the girths are attached, and the stirrups suspended ; nay, 
still farther, a surcingle passing over the exact centre of the saddle is 
generally employed. The length of the stirrups should, according to the 
best authorities, be sucli as just to enable the jock to clear his saddle when 
he stands in them, but never so long as to make him depend on the reins 
in the least for his upright position ; therefore, wlien he does stand in the 
stirrups, he transfers, through them, his weight to the centre of the saddle, 
without, of course, disturbing the general equilibrium of his horse. When 
he wishes to bring the centre of gravity more forward — which favors, as 



24 no]v TO lUDE. 

we have shown, the propelling action of the hind legs — he does this by 
bending his own body forward fro7n the hips iqnvard, and throwing forward 
his head, his legs remaining straight down close to his horse ; and this bend 
is altogether different from that of the rider who sits far back in his saddle, 
with his knees drawn up to the horse's shoulder. When he comes to the 
finish, the jock sits down to " ride " his horse. ]Much of the success of 
starting depends on the rider throwing his weight forward at the proper 
moment, and not overdoing it, as good riders well know. 



THE HUNTING SEAT. 



The length of hunting saddles has been increasing constantly with the 
rapidity of the pace ; and although an increase of the bearing surface of 
the saddle, as has been already shown, is an admirable thing in itself, no 
great advantage is derived, so far as the horse's back is concerned, unless 
the rider be placed in the centre of the saddle. But our saddles have been 
lengthened chiefly for the purpose of enabling us to get farther away from 
the stirrup, so as to use this as a point of support, not against falling to the 
right or left, but to prevent one's being pulled right over the horse's head 
in fast galloping and jumping ; and thus many riders whose object really 
is to throw their weight somewhat forward, because this favors speed, 
actually come to sit almost on the loins of their horses, where they seriously 
impede the action of the propellers, and are then compelled to throw their 
body forward in the most inconvenient and unsightly manner. 

It involves unnecessary wear and tear of the horse's fore legs, because 
the rider's weight is with every bound thrown forward into his stirrups ; 
whereas, by sitting over the centre of motion, the shock is equally divided 
over all four legs, and not on one pair alone. So it is very evident that 
a man may sit far back and still ruin his horse's fore legs. Secondly, it is 
not the safest method, because, if the horse fails with one or both fore legs. 



now TO RIDE. 25 

the rider loses all his support at once, the stirrup acting only as a pivot 
round which, by means of his stiff leg, his whole body is made, by the 
impulse received from the hind legs, to rotate and go over the horse's head. 
And if a horse suddenly swerves, turns on his haunches, or comes to a dead 
halt at a jump, the rider is most likely to continue the original line of 
movement, whilst the horse adopts a new one, or " reposes." Thirdly, this 
method of riding tends very forcibly to making the horse convert the rider's 
hand into a fifth leg for itself, the pull of the head on the rein coming at an 
acute angle to the push or tread of the leg in the stirrup ; and this, when 
carried to excess, degenerates into pure rein and stirrup riding without any 
seat, especially with horses that carry their heads low. 

The rule for the jockey we have seen is, never, in standing in his 
stirrups, to depend for seat to any extent on his reins. Why this should 
be neglected in liunting is not easy to understand. The Cossacks and 
Circassians, who all ride with a snaffle, and do wonderful things with it, sit 
perfectly independent of the rein ; any one can make his horse equally 
light in the hand with a snaffle as theirs are, by making his seat as inde- 
pendent of the reins and stirrups, or use a curbed bit in hunting if he 
pleases. It is the close, steady seat that makes the hand light and the 
horse's mouth soft ; and therefore it is much more valuable in teaching to 
make the young riders dispense altogether with the reins than with the 
stirrups, and may be done sooner. 

Apropos of rising in the stirrups, we hear it asserted that " either to 
avoid a kick, or in jumping a large fence, the rider, by merely rising in his 
stirrups, lifts his body off the seat and accordingly the blow aimed at it 
fails to reach it." 

If a man sits in the right place he does not need to rise in his stirrups 
for any such purpose. 

We believe that the great secret of good horsemanship in general con- 
sists in avoiding exaggerations of all kinds. The saddle, the position of 
the stirrup, and the peculiar object in view, may and must induce modifica- 
tions of the seat ; but riding is still riding, and the mechanism of the 
horse's construction cannot be altered by mere fashion. 



ROAD-RlDlNa 

The road-rider, although not required to take fences, or permitted to ride 
at full gallop like the hunter, has his own difficulties to contend with : he 
has to do his work on a hard, inelastic surface, and not on grass fields or 
ploughed land ; he must be prepared to make sharp turns, and to meet all 
sorts of provocations to shying and restiveness, of which the hunting-man 
knows little or nothing ; in fact, handiness, safety for himself, and a due 
regard for his horse's legs, are much more important considerations for him 
than great speed. 

Let us take the hard road, in the first instance, into consideration. 
When one body strikes, falls, or impinges on another, to use a scientific 
phrase, it receives the blow back sooner or later. This is, as we all know, 
what is called recoil or rebound ; the elastic surface gives back the blow 
later and more gradually ; the inelastic one sooner, and more suddenly. The 
horse's leg being elastic, it receives but a small shock from the elastic turf, 
this being divided between both nearly equally ; on the hard road nearly the 
whole recoil is transmitted back to the horse's body through its limbs, and 
this is nearly equal to the weight of both rider and bearer. There are 
various means by which this recoil may be diminished in intensity, to the 
great ease of the horse. One of the most obvious is to distribute the weight 
as nearly as possible over the middle of the horse's back, which is con- 
structed, as we have shown, in such a manner as to admit of a certain amount 
of elastic action in a vertical direction — in plain words, up and down. 

Two men can carry a greater weight with an elastic pole on their shoulders 
than with a stiff one ; and if the burden be not exactly in the centre of 
it, the man to whom it is nearest will get more of the recoil from the 
ground than the other one. Now, taking into account tliat the road-rider 
does not want great speed, and has at the same time an inelastic surface to 
deal with, there can, we think, be little doubt that, by placing his saddle and 



now TO RIDE. 27 

himself over the middle of the horse's back, he will save his bearer and 
himself a large amount of recoil. If, however, in this position he thrusts 
his whole foot into the stirrup, he thereby throws away a further chance ; 
for, by merely resting with the ball of his foot on the bar of the stirrup, 
his knee being slightly bent, he superadds the elastic action of his own legs 
at knee and ankle to that of the horse's, and this is the legitimate and 
proper way of riding " close seat." 

A wholly useless and absurd method of performing this feat is when 
tlie stirrup is ever so far away from the part of the saddle on which the 
rider sits, for then there is an end of the elastic action of the rider's leg. 

The plan adopted in England is to avoid the recoil of the " close seat " 
by rising in the stirrups, which, of course, is the most sensible way for a 
man who has to ride long distances and is not encumbered with weapons. 
It has, however, its inconveniences, especially if the stirrup is placed very 
far forward ; for then, in the first place, the foot being thrust home in the 
stirrup, the elasticity of the rider's leg is not utilized ; and even when this 
is not the case, the " tread " being oblique cannot have the effect intended ; 
secondly, the whole seat is abandoned for a certain time, nothing remaining 
in contact with the horse except the leg from the knee downwards, which is 
of little use ; thirdly, the horse learns to lean on the hand, for the rider 
must depend on his reins, for a moment of time at least, which, of course, 
renders correct bitting impossible ; finally, the rider's weight is being con- 
stantly transferred from the hind to the fore quarters of the horse. There 
may be average equilibrium, but it is never permanently in the right place, 
and hence the danger ; for a sudden start or stumble at the moment the 
rider is in the air is the most common cause of the accidents that occur. 

There is, however, a further peculiarity belonging to this English 
method, or rising in the saddle, that is worth understanding, because the 
successful trotting of many horses depends on its being so. The man riding 
" close seat " rises and falls with each tread of the horse ; the English rider 
only with the intermediate ones ; he always comes down on his saddle 
simultaneously with one and the same hind leg ; and the consequence is, 
that in trotting after this fashion one diagonal pair of legs is constantly 
saved from the recoil, and the other as constantly exposed to it. 

Every practical rider must have observed that with certain horses there 
is a difficulty in starting to trot, in the accommodation of the rider's rise in 



28 



HOW TO niDE. 



the stirrups to the first movements ; he will luave to feel his way, as it 
were, to the proper leg, and perhaps be obliged to sit out two or three shakes 
before he can get at it ; for many horses trot unequally — that is, take a 
longer stride with one pair of legs than with the other. The rider should 
observe this in difficult cases, and try to find out, which he soon can, with 
which hind leg he should rise or fall. Men who have this instinct are able 
to trot horses that perfectly good riders fail with. 

A celebrated German veterinary surgeon has observed that the near hind 
and off fore legs of most horses are stronger than the other two ; and he 
attributes some well-known but hitherto seemingly inexpylicable facts in 
connection with horses to this circumstance — as, for instance, that they 
naturally jirefer, in cantering and galloping, to lead with the near leg, the 
weight being then supported by the two strongest limbs (near hind and off 
fore) ; that spavin occurs more frequently on the off than the near side ; 
and that horses in wheeling about, through restiveness, always do so to the 
left, on the near hind leg, etc. He advances in support of his views the 
well-known fact that men's right arms and left legs are naturally most 
relied on, being also stronger ; and he believes this to be the case with very 
many other animals — dogs, for instance, whose method of going diagonally 
seems to prove it. Now it is quite possible that this is also the cause of 
what has been alluded to above, — namely, that in trotting after the English 
fashion, the horse endeavors to accommodate the strong and weak pairs of 
legs to the rise and fall of the rider in the saddle ; and if so, it is worth the 
attention of practical men. 

It is scarcely necessary, after what has been already said, to demonstrate 
over again how conducive to handiuess, perfect mastery over the horse, inde- 
pendence of the rein, and therefore good bitting, a central position of the 
saddle, stirrups, and seat miist be ; and these are, we take it, the conditions 
under which road-riding may be done safely and agreeably. 



THE MILITARY SEAT. 

And, as to the seat, the hunting rider can adjust his weight as he pleases ; 
he may vary his position in the saddle, which constitutes the whole of the 
dead weight ; his doing so must not necessarily give his horse a sore back 
or bruised withers. On the other hand, the dead weight carried by the 
troop horses is most usually equal to, in many cases greater than, that of 
the rider ; a shifting of the seat will, therefore, necessarily destroy not only 
the poise of the horse, but, what is still worse, that of the saddle — and 
this is what kills the horses, or, at least, sends them into hospital. 

The cavalry soldier's seat must be therefore fixed, and not subject to 
variation ; in charging he must bend his body forwards, from the liips 
upwards, in order to use his weapons, and stand in his stirrups, and this 
will suffice to accelerate the speed of his horse. The grand rule is to 
arrange the saddle itself and the stirrups so that the rider can only sit in 
the proper position, that he falls naturally into it, and that it requires no 
muscular effort to maintain it. 

If this be not the case, the moment the man becomes tired, or his horse 
makes a rapid movement, the whole seat is lost, and the muscular effort 
that should remain altogether available for the sabre is expended in 
endeavoring to maintain or regain an injudicious seat. The true seat is, 
therefore, in the middle of the saddle, whose upper surface should be so 
formed as not to admit of any other one ; then the stirrup must be under 
the seat, and not eight to twelve inches in front of it. For that requires 
muscular action to keep the stirrup in a certain position at an angle to its 
natural fall, instead of the stirrup supporting the leg as the latter falls. 
Such a position is not maintainable for any length of time, or in sharp 
movement. In trot, for instance, the soldier, not being permitted to rise in 
his saddle, must seek a support which the stirrups cannot afford if they are 
too far forward, the tread in the stirrup comes to be in the direction of the 



30 



HOW TO RIDE. 



poiut of the horse's shoulder, "tongs across a wall," and the counteraction is 
then upwards in the line of the man's thigh, against which the intestines 
descend, and i^roduce, if there is the slightest natural weakness in the indi- 
vidual, rupture. The stirrups being far forward in the hunting or civilian 
saddle are not so injurious in this way, because the rider evades the shock 
by rising in the saddle — and this is just what led to the English way of 
riding ; but the cavalry soldier cannot do so. 





'OUR GLADSTONE SADDLE.' 




'OUR VICTORIA SADDLE 



PART II. 



The best thiug for the inside of a man is the outside of a horse. — Old Proverb. 



"FIRST LESSONS." 

Horseback exercise is the physician's prescription to a patient wliose 
general derangement of stomach, liver, and skin, not to mention brain, has 
been bronght about by sedentary and mental exhaustive pursuits. To the 
pupil commencing to ride, two grand rules must be constantly obeyed, first, 
the avoidance of fatigue; second, the recognition of amusement in con- 
nection with the lessons, which must be conducted according to the physical 
capabilities of the individual. 

Boys learn to ride anywhere, or on any sort of an animal ; but the 
person who has not ridden since his youth, distant a quarter of a century, 
cannot expect to do the same. 

A little preparatory training, carefully conducted, will do much towards 
rendering the first riding lesson easy. A mild course of gymnastics such 
as the dumb-bells, not being too heavy, will give a compulsory, firm position 
to the lower half of the body, while the upper half is actively employed. 
Now that is exactly what is needful for a liorseman — that the lower limbs 
should be attached to the horse, like a centaur, and his trunk well balanced 
and flexible. 

When a grown man, after tlie time his bones are set and his muscles 
assume new duties with difficulty, takes to riding either as a remedy for 
indisposition of body or mind, or as an amusement, he should avail himself 
of the saddle which will help him most, giving him a comfortable, secure, 
and upright seat, no chafing, and easy to retain under difficulties. This is 
our Gladstone saddle, designed by us, and made by the best English saddlers 
for our establishment only. It is used even by practised horsemen. Avhose 
muscles are less strong and nerves less steady than in the days of their youth. 



36 HOW TO RIDE. 

To be thoroughly comfortable and safe it is as necessary that the rider 
should be measured for a Gladstone saddle as for a pair of trousers or 
breeches. The seat must be large enough, the sloping under the thighs tit 
in well, and the pads in front of the knees be arranged to a nicety. The 
seat is soft and springy, causing no soreness even after a long ride. A 
gentleman who had been riding a common saddle described the change to 
one of our Gladstone's, as "all the difference between abject terror and 
perfect contideuce." 



MOUNTING. 



Horsemanship came with the horses from the East. The first horsemen 
were soldiers, and the art is to this day affected by military traditions. We 
are all taught to mount or dismount on the left or "near side" of the 
horse, because the military horseman requires to mount with his sword or 
spear in his right hand ready for defence or attack. This compels him to 
face towards the rear of the horse. 

The correct way of mounting for civilians is shown by the drawings No. 
1 and No. 2. To attain the position " prepare to mount," the pupil should 
grasp the reins with the right hand, and rest it on the pommel of the 
saddle ; then take hold of the stirrup with the left hand, raise the left foot, 
and place it in the stirrup as far as the ball of the foot, carefully keeping 
the toe away from the horse's side. 

To attain the second position "mount," spring from the right instep 
(not to drag the body up by the hands), bringing both heels together, the 
body upright and slightly leaning over the saddle, both knees firm against 
the flap of the saddle. As you spring, grasp the mane with the left hand. 
The right leg should now be passed clear over the horse's quarters to the 
off side. The knee should be closed to the saddle first, and in passing the 
rio-ht leg over the horse's croup, the toe should be down. The pupil should 




'PREPARE TO MOUNT.' 



38 HOW TO HIDE. 

next be shown how to take a rein in each hand, and be placed in the saddle. 
In taking the reins they should be through the full of the hand and over the 
forefinger, with the thumb closed firmly on the top, and the little finger 
should be outside the rein. 

The pupil should sit in the middle of the saddle, with the body upright 
but easy ; the head raised, and the weight of the upper part of the body 
over the hips ; the shoulders square, and thrown back ; the small part of 
the back slightly bent forward; the elbows under the shoulders, and to 
touch the hips lightly. The hands should be in front of the elbows, which 
will bring them about six inches apart, and the wrist very slightly rounded 
outwards, the little finger about as high as the elbow and under the hand, 
the thumb on the top and close on the rein. The fiat side of the thigh and 
inside of the knee should be placed to the saddle, but not screwed round so 
as to take all the power out of the leg. (A great deal here depends on the 
shape of the leg. A man with a round thigh and large knee finds it more 
difhcult to do this than one with a thin, flat thigh and small knee, and allow- 
ance must be made accordingly.) The lower part of the legs should be 
close to the sides of the horse, and the heels down. 

The stirrup may now be fitted, and in doing this the bar of the stirrup 
should reach about three inches above the upper edge of the heel of the 
boot ; the feet are then to be placed in the stirrups as far as the ball of 
the foot, care being taken in doing this not to get the knees forced too 
much up. 

The sketch No. 3, "the proper seat," shows the square seat, the upright 
carriage, the fall of the legs, and position of the toes. A firm seat can be 
attained by practice and close attention to the stj-le of the rider here 
depicted. 

After feeling confidence, it is well to acquire flexibility of body above 
the hips, while the lower parts — hip to knee — are left firmly attached to 
the horse, learning, while still riding first slowly, then fast, to lean back 
and touch the horse with the shoulders, to bend down, put on, and take off 
either stirrup ; in trotting to lose a stirrup and regain it without bending; 
to let the stirrups up or down while walking; all of which will render the 
seat firm, and give the rider confidence. 

If a horse is ridden with a loose rein and careless leg, he can turn round 
to one side before he can be stopped, and if he is tired he may overbalance 



40 HOW TO HIDE. 

himself and fall. Therefore a horse should always be "pulled together" 
or ''collected" before he is asked to move; he should be slightly retained 
by the bridle, and lightly pressed by the legs. This makes him stand 
square with his legs under him, and helps his equilibrium. The legs of a 
good horseman on a well-trained horse will imperceptibly guide and regulate 
his paces almost as much as the reins. 



"THE RISE" IN THE STIRRUPS. 

The general mistake in beginning to rise in the stirrups is that the rider 
works too hard and continues bobbing up and down without getting the 
time, taking a great deal out of himself and his horse and doing no good. 

In rising the seat should just clear the saddle, but the body must be 
kept long enough up, as it were, to rise with one step and sit down with the 
next (although the horse really takes a step between). If he loses the time, 
which he is pretty sure to do at first, it is no use to keep on working the 
body up and down to try and recover it, but sit still for a few steps and 
then try again. 

It is found advisable with some pupils in beginning this lesson to shorten 
their stirrups a hole for a time, and with others to take a lock of the mane 
in the right hand, first putting both reins into the left hand, of course 
resuming the proper position as soon as they get into the way of it a little. 
Care must also here be taken that the lower parts of the legs are kept 
steady. Nothing looks worse than to see a man kicking his horse under 
the jaw with his toe, and in the flank with the heel ever^- time he rises on 
the stirrup. Besides, as long as the legs are swinging backwards and for- 
wards, the seat cannot be very secure. 

With a full bridle, that is, snaffle and curb, the pupil should ride on the 
snaffle, leaving the curb reins loose on the horse's neck, and then he must 
be instructed how to take all four reins. There are several ways of doing 
so, but the following is preferable : — 




■THE PROPER SEKt/^ 



42 HO II' TO HIDE. 

Take the centre of both reins in the right hand, the snaffle rein being on 
the top of the curb ; tlien phace a linger of the left hand between each rein, 
beginning with the little finger, so that the left snaffle is outside the little 
finger, the next finger being between the curb reins, and the right snaffle 
rein between the forefinger and the middle finger, the whole being brought 
over the forefinger, and the thumb closed firmly on the top of the reins. 
Thus the cxirb reins are the two centre ones, and the snaffle reins on the 
outside. 



DISMOUNTING. 

In "preparing to dismount,'' the right hand takes hold of the reins above 
the left, and tlie right foot is taken out of the stirrup, the left hand then 
slides forward on the reins which are still held in the right hand about 
twelve inches from the saddle ; tlien drop the spare part of the reins out of 
the right hand to the off side, take the lock of the mane as in mounting, 
and place the right hand on the ]iommel of the saddle. In doing this the 
body should be kept upright. In '' dismounting," the body is to be sup- 
ported by the right hand and left foot; and the right leg brought clear over 
the horse's croup to the near side ; heels close. (It should be explained to 
the pupil that a pause is always to be made here both in mounting and 
dismounting; in case the horse is not steady or anything wrong, he can 
from this position come down or not as may be best.) 

The body is not to be lowered till the right foot is on the ground. Then, 
keeping the hands in the same position, take the left foot out of the stirruji 
and place it in line with the horse's fore feet. The pupil is then to quit 
his hold with botli hands and turn to liis left, as he turns taking hold of 
the rein about six inches from the ring of the snaffle and raising the horse's 
head. 




HOLDING A FULL BRIDLE. 



■ LADIES' RIDING. 

Nowhere in woman's empire does she appear to such an advantage as 
when on a horse's back; in tlie street, the park, or anywliere a horsewoman 
appears, tlie eye is irresistibly attracted ; and the figure, the face, the dress, 
and finally tlie horse, are closely scrutinized. There is nothing so attractive 
to the male observer as a graceful horsewoman in a well-fitting riding- 
habit. Her beauty is, no doubt, enhanced by the blood being set in motion 
and the exhilarating effects of the splendid exercise. It imparts a courage 
to a timid woman, which must be beneficial in after life, and as an aid to 
digestion and health the exercise is invaluable. There is no limit to the 
age at which a lady may commence taking lessons. Some of the most 
finished horsewomen known did not begin riding till long after they were 
married. The position of the lady rider is much more secure than the 
man's. On a well-fitted lady's saddle, with the pommels arranged to a 
nicety, it is almost impossible for the rider to lose her seat; it is as essen- 
tial, however, for the lady to be measured for the saddle as for her riding 
habit. 

The seat of the saddle should be perfectly level. Level seat may require 
a few words of explanation. The ordinary side-saddle, made with the arch 
of the tree raised to clear the withers, is necessarily much higher in front 
than behind, and as a consequence the knee is thrown up in a cramped and 
fatiguing position. It is thus difficult to keep the figure erect, an acliing 
back ensues to the rider, and the body is twisted sideways, giving only a 
one-sided development to the muscles, and great danger of causing damage 
to the spine. Tlie weight is not in the centre, and that with the chafing on 
the withers is frequent torture to the horse. The level seat has the tree 
cut away to escape the withers, and replaced by a pad of soft leather, giving 
that horizontal shape from front to rear so much desired, yet so seldom 
found. It permits the rider to sit perfectly square to the horse's head, with 
the knee down, the body erect, and no cramj)s, fatigue, or twisting the 
spine. 



46 HOW TO RIDE. 

The safest arrangement for side-saddles, to avoid risk of being hung up 
by the stirrup, or dragged by the skirt, can be seen on our " Victoria" side- 
saddles, with perfectly level seat, patented and adopted in England. We 
have secured them for this country, and find them invaluable. With these 
attachments, in case of accident, the foot is instantly released, and the skirt 
of the habit falls clear of the saddle. 

The method of mounting is as follows : — 

Take the reins and whip in your right hand, and lay the fingers of it 
firmly upon the top of the up-pommel, — grasping it, in fact ; then, with your 
left hand, gather your skirt away from your left foot, and place this latter 
in the hand of your assistant, bending your knee as you do so. When you 
feel that his palm is firmly supporting the sole of your foot, take your left 
hand from your habit skirt, and place it on his left shoulder, he being in 
a slightly stooping position at the time. Then give him the signal. As you 
say the word, straighten your knee, and make a slight spring upward, your 
cavalier at the same instant raising himself to an erect position, without 
letting his hand drop in the smallest degree. By this arrangement you will 
reach your saddle with comfort and expertness. Be cautious also not to 
touch your horse, when mounting, with your whip. 

As soon as you are secure upon your saddle, and have learned to feel at 
home there, get your horse walked about with the reins looped over his 
neck. Do not touch them at all at first, or trouble yourself about carrying 
a whip, but rather devote your energies and attention to acquiring an even 
balance, and learning the proper grip of the pommels, without which you 
never can ride well. 

Do not lean heavily upon the stirrup, or force yourself to undue nmscular 
action ; nor will it be in all cases wise to thrust the left foot " home," as it 
is called : better ride from the ball of it. Ascertain before starting that 
your stirrup-leather is precisely the right length, in order that you may not 
be induced to lean to the left side, owing to its being too long, or have your 
knee uncomfortably thrust up on account of its shortness. You should sit 
erect and square, with chest forward and shoulders well back, yet without 
any appearance of stiffness or rigidity of position. Be as firm as a rock 
beloiv the waist, but light and flexible as a reed above it. On these two rules 
all the beauty, and indeed the safety, of equestrianism depend. 

Again, you will discover that the toe of your right foot has a dreadful 




SEATED. 



48 HOW TO niDE. 

tendency to turn outward from the ankle, -while that of the left turns down, 
and shows the sole of your boot to those in the rear of j'ou. 

Avoid, above all things, sitting too much to the left : it will not only 
induce you to lean too hard upon the stirrup, — a thing which j-ou ought 
not to do at all, — but will be pretty certain to give your horse a tender 
back from the very beginning. 

Never, on any account, grip the pommels, or clutch at the mane, no 
matter how frightened you may be. A little start will not upset you, nor 
will a sudden playful movement have the power to send you off, providing 
that you are sitting " square," with your right leg well pressed over the 
up-pommel, and your left against the leaping-head, while your whole atten- 
tion is given to your seat, and to nothing else whatever. 

This is the true secret of learning to ride from balance ; and once it is 
yours, nothing can unseat you, so long as your horse remains upon his legs. 

To rise in the saddle, you must keep the left heel well down, and move 
the leg as little as possible. To sway it like a pendulum will not help you 
one bit. 

Keep your hands perfectly steady, j'our arms to your sides, your left 
foot slightly pressing the stirrup as the horse throws out his near fore leg, 
while you lift yourself very slightly at the precise instant that his other leg 
is advanced. 

It will take you a long while to accom]ilish this. Over and over again, 
you will sigh with disappointment, and say involuntarily, '■ I cannot do it." 
But you can, and will in time, if you will only persevere. Few things worth 
learning can be acquired in a hurry. A woman with plenty of courage and 
go about her will learn how to "stick on" in an incredibly short space of 
time. 

Horses are controlled bj^ the reins, the voice, the legs, and a lady rider 
must make her whip-handle serve her for the management and guidance of 
her horse on the off side, where a man has the advantage of having his right 
leg to assist him in the office. For example, in turning a corner to the 
right, the body should be bent slightly to the off side, and the leg be pressed 
lightly but firmly on the left side. When the turn is to the left, the body 
should be inclined that way, while the whip-handle is judiciously pressed 
against the off side : this preserves an even balance, and prevents the 
animal's quarters from coming too suddenly round. 




OFF SIDE OF VICTORIA SADDLE, SHOWING LEVEL SEAT. 



LEAPING. 

Every one should learn to leap, as the practice gives the rider a secure 
seat. When a horse leaps he throws the unprepared rider forward. The 
object then is to resist or neutralize by his position in the saddle, the 
impetus forward, created by the horse's bound. The horseman must sit 
firmly in the middle of the saddle, with the snaffle reins held in both hands, 
and both hands held low over the horse's withers, and look straight between 
his horse's ears. As the horse approaches the leap, he should bend his body 
back, /ram the hips upivards, over the cantle of the saddle, while keeping 
his "seat" firmly in its place by the grip of his legs and thighs. 

The degree of leaning back depends on the extent of the leap and the 
action of the horse ; at a great down jump the best horsemen almost touch 
the horse's croup. Some make the mistake of sitting back on the saddle and 
thus exposing themselves to the action of the loin-muscles ; whereas it is 
not their seat, but their shoulders, that should fall flexibly back and return 
to the upright position when the horse is landed. 

According to military instructions " the body is to be inclined forward 
as the horse rises, and backwards as he alights; " but that is a feat which 
only a long-practised horseman can accurately perform. Tlie chances are 
that the pupil who attempts it, if he does not get a black eye or bruised 
nose from the horse's neck, will find himself jumped out of the saddle from 
not having timed his change to the backward motion accurately. 

The reins should be held loose enough to give the liorse power to fully 
extend his neck. Many a rider has been pulled out of the saddle, at a leap, 
by the extension of the horse's neck, and many times the horse refuses the 
leap from being held hard by the reins when his mouth should be felt, not 
restrained. 




HOLDING REINS IN LEAPING. 



HINTS TO BEGINNERS. 

Teaching horsemanship is expressed in tlie following commands, which 
all good riding-masters repeat hour after hour to their jiupils. Slioulders 
back — waist slack — heels down — hands down — elbows close to side — 
head erect — eyes directed upwards — sit back. 

A short rider mounting a tall horse may let down the stirrup leathers a 
few holes, and take them up when mounted. 

Restive horses should be mounted in the stable yard, with their heads 
turned against the closed stable door, until they learn to stand still without 
being held. 

Make it your habit to fondle your horse before mounting, so as to 
accustom him to your voice. 

Always approach his head first. 

The bridle hand is the left hand. 

The whip hand is the right hand. 

The near side is the left side as you sit; the off side is to the right. 

Never begin to fight with a horse unless you have strength enough 
to win. 

If a horse rears, do not support yourself by the reins ; loosen them 
slightly aud throw your arm around his neck, giving him first one spur and 
then the other; this will compel the hind legs to move forward, aud he 
loses his support. 

When a horse shies and turns half round, it is useless to try and force 
him back, because he always turns on his strong side ; but quick as thought 
turn him round in a complete circle ; if he still hesitates to go forward, 
circle him again and again, because in this motion he cannot resist. 

If he shies without turning around, always pull him from the object of 
his alarm. 

If he tries to rub you against a wall or tree, pull his head towards it. 

If a horse is really alarmed, as for instance at a machine of some kind, 
dismount, soothe, and lead him past. 

When a geutlemau accompanies a lady, he should ride on the right side, 
his bridle and whip in the right hand, so that he may be prepared to assist 
her with his left hand if needed. 




THE PETERSON STIRRUP. 



Every rider knows how unpleasant, not to say dangerous, it is for the 
foot to slip so far into the stirrup that the weight rests on the " small of the 
foot." This trouble and danger is entirely removed by the use of this 
stirrup, which also releases the foot instantly in case of accident, thereby 
adding to the rider's contidence and courage. The bar, which is the feature 
of the stirrup, can be raised or lowered to fit any foot. 



MARK W. CROSS & CO., 



MAKERS OF 



HARNESS, 



IMPORTERS OF LONDON SADDLES, 



COMPLETE OUTFITTERS FOR RIDING AND DRIVING. 



THE LARGEST 

HORSE FURNISHING ESTABLISHMENT 

IN THE IVORLD. 



ii8^^"i2o SUDBURY STREET, 

BOSTON. 



RIDING HABITS. 



IN keeping with the great improvements made in the last 
few years in Saddlery, Ladies' Riding Habits have under- 
gone most radical changes, which have added greatly to theii' 
beauty and safety. The great variety of materials used in 
different weights and colors, with contrasting waistcoats, etc., 
has given them a picturesqueness which has heretofore been 
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Our perfect-fitting safety skirt, adapted from the most 
approved London and Vienna patterns, is acknowledged to 
be the " par excellence " of habit skirts. 



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Gentlemen's Ridincr Tronsers and Breeches. 



OUR exceptional facilities enable us to show the most 
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workmanship we guarantee to be the best. 



L. P. HOLLANDER & CO., 

BOSTON: Boylston Street and Park Square. 

NEW YORK: - - 2qo Fifth Avenue. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



020 951 287 7 







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